By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has announced the successful transfer of J. Jesus Muñoz Gutiérrez, a Mexican national, to his home country.
The ministry called the move a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations. Mr. Gutiérrez was part of a group of seven individuals, including one South Sudanese, who were deported to South Sudan from the United States on July 5, 2025.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that the repatriation process was carried out over the weekend, in full accordance with international law and diplomatic protocols. It was a collaborative effort between the Republic of South Sudan, the Government of the United Mexican States, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Mexican Embassy in Addis Ababa.
According to a statement from the Ministry, a productive bilateral meeting was held during the weekend before the repatriation process began between Ambassador Monday Semaya K. Kumba and his counterpart, Alejandro Ives Estivill Castro, the non-resident Ambassador-Designate of Mexico.
During the meeting, Ambassador-Designate Castro presented his nomination letter, and the two sides engaged in discussions on various issues of mutual interest.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation expressed its sincere appreciation to the Government of the United Mexican States for its cooperation and constructive engagement throughout the repatriation process.
The two diplomats emphasized that the transfer was handled in a smooth and orderly manner, ensuring mutual respect and adherence to international standards.
Meanwhile, the Government of South Sudan affirmed its commitment to working with international partners to ensure the safe and humane treatment and repatriation of all third-country nationals.
Mid this year, the United States government deported a group of eight foreign nationals to South Sudan because they had been convicted of serious crimes in the U.S. and had outstanding orders for removal.
The deportation of these individuals to South Sudan was part of a broader policy by the U.S. government to deport foreign nationals to “third countries” if their home countries would not accept them.
The group included individuals from South Sudan, Cuba, Mexico, Myanmar, and Vietnam among others.
The U.S. Supreme Court had cleared the way for these deportations after a legal battle.